Top Mass communication colleges in India
Top Media Colleges in India 2025 continue to shape the future of journalism, film, advertising, and digital content. Flagship institutes like IIMC New Delhi, AJK MCRC (Jamia Millia Islamia), FTII Pune, SRFTI Kolkata, MICA Ahmedabad, SCMC (Symbiosis), Pune, XIC Mumbai, ACJ Chennai, and leading universities such as Delhi University, Christ (Bengaluru), and Manipal remain aspirants’ first choices for Media & Mass Communication.
With hundreds of undergraduate and postgraduate options—BA/BJMC/BAJMC, BMM/BA in Multimedia & Communication, BSc Filmmaking, MA/MJMC, PG Diplomas, and PGDM-Communications—India offers a deep, industry-linked media education ecosystem. Admissions are competitive and typically based on CUET-UG/CUET-PG, plus institute-specific tests like MICAT, SET (SCMC), XIC OET, FTII/SRFTI JET, portfolios, and interviews. Rising media placements in 2025—spanning newsrooms, OTT, film/TV, digital agencies, and creator-economy roles—make these programs highly desirable.
Highlights
- Regulator(s): UGC/AICTE (as applicable), autonomous institutes by MoI&B (e.g., FTII/SRFTI), and university statutes
- Popular Degrees (UG/PG): BAJMC/BJMC/BMM, BSc Filmmaking, MA/MJMC, PG Diploma in Journalism/Advertising/PR, PGDM-C (MICA)
- Core Domains: Journalism, Digital Media, Advertising & PR, Film & TV, Sound Design, Screenwriting, Photography, Radio, Corporate Communications, Media Analytics
Key Entrance Pathways (2025)
- CUET-UG / CUET-PG (many central/state universities)
- MICAT (for MICA PGDM-C, with CAT/XAT/GMAT)
- SET – SCMC (Symbiosis UG)
- XIC OET (Xavier Institute of Communications, Mumbai)
- JET (FTII/SRFTI) for film/TV specializations
- University-specific rounds (Christ, Manipal, Amity, etc.)
Media Programs in India
| Level | Programs | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate | BAJMC/BJMC/BMM, BSc in Filmmaking/Cinema, BA in Media & Communication | 3 – 4 years |
| Postgraduate | MA/MJMC (Journalism & Mass Comm), PG Diplomas (Journalism/PR/Advertising), PGDM-C (MICA) | 1 – 2 years |
| Film & TV Specializations | Direction, Cinematography, Editing, Sound, Screenwriting, Animation | 1 – 2 years (PG/PGD) |
| Short-term/Certificates | Photography, Radio Jockeying, Digital Marketing, Video Editing, Podcasting | 3 – 12 months |
Top Media & Mass Communication Colleges in India 2025
| Institution / School | City & State | Primary Focus | Parent / NIRF Category (context) | NIRF 2025 (parent)* | Other Rankings 2025 (IIRF / India Today) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ACJ – Asian College of Journalism | Chennai, TN | Journalism (PG Diploma) | — (specialist school) | NA | (not in NIRF/IT tables) |
| AJK MCRC, Jamia Millia Islamia | New Delhi | Film/TV + Mass Comm | Jamia — University | (University) noted top tier | The Week 2025: #2 (Mass Comm) |
| IIMC – Indian Institute of Mass Communication | New Delhi (+ regional) | Journalism, AD-PR (PG Diplomas) | — (autonomous media school) | NA | India Today 2025: #1 (Mass Comm). |
| FTII – Film & Television Institute of India | Pune, MH | Film/TV specialisations | — (autonomous) | NA | Specialist film school (not in IT Mass Comm list). |
| SRFTI – Satyajit Ray Film & Television Institute | Kolkata, WB | Film/TV specialisations | — (autonomous) | NA | Specialist film school (not in IT Mass Comm list). |
| SCMC – Symbiosis Centre for Media & Communication | Pune, MH | BA (Mass Comm) | Symbiosis Int’l (Deemed) — University | (University context) | India Today 2025: #3 |
| Manipal Institute of Communication (MAHE – SOC) | Manipal, KA | BAJMC / MAJMC | MAHE — University | (University context) | India Today 2025: #4 |
| XIC – Xavier Institute of Communications | Mumbai, MH | Journalism, Advertising, Film/Digital (PG certs/diplomas) | — (autonomous) | NA | India Today 2025: #5. |
| Department of Media Studies, CHRIST (Deemed) | Bengaluru, KA | BA/MA Media & Communication | Management/Univ context | (Mgmt noted) | India Today 2025: #6 |
| Amity School of Communication, Noida | Noida, UP | UG/PG Media / PR / Advertising | Amity University — University | (University context) | India Today 2025: #7 |
| KC College (Kishinchand Chellaram) | Mumbai, MH | BAMMC / Media | HSNC University (College) | — | IIRF J&MC 2025: #1 (Govt category). (IIRFRanking) |
| University School of Mass Communication, GGSIPU | New Delhi | Journalism / Mass Comm | GGSIPU — University | (University context) | IIRF J&MC 2025: #2 (Govt). (IIRFRanking) |
| Lady Shri Ram (LSR), University of Delhi | New Delhi | BA (Hons) Journalism | DU — University | (University context) | IIRF J&MC 2025: #3 (Govt). (IIRFRanking) |
| Dept. of Media & Comm. Studies, SPPU | Pune, MH | Journalism / Comm (Dept.) | SPPU — University | (University context) | India Today 2025: #2. |
| St. Xavier’s College (Autonomous), Mumbai | Mumbai, MH | Mass Comm / Film Studies | College category | (College context) | IIRF J&MC 2025: #8 (Pvt). (IIRFRanking) |
| MICA, Ahmedabad (School of Ideas) | Ahmedabad, GJ | Advertising / Brand / Digital (PGDM-C) | Management institute | (Mgmt context) | Not on Mass Comm lists (different domain/focus). |
Top Government/Public Media Institutes (Indicative)
| Institute | City | Known For | Entrance/Pathway | Typical Fees (Total) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IIMC | New Delhi + Centres | PG Journalism, ADPR | IIMC/CUET-PG (as notified) | ₹1 – ₹2.5 lakh |
| AJK MCRC (Jamia) | New Delhi | Film/TV, Mass Comm | University test/CUET-PG + portfolio | ₹1 – ₹2 lakh |
| FTII | Pune | Film/TV Specializations | JET (FTII/SRFTI) | ₹1 – ₹3 lakh |
| SRFTI | Kolkata | Film/TV Specializations | JET (FTII/SRFTI) | ₹1 – ₹3 lakh |
| Delhi University | Delhi | BA (Journalism)/Mass Comm | CUET-UG | ₹20k – ₹80k per year |
| BHU / Osmania / Jadavpur | Varanasi/Hyderabad/Kolkata | Journalism/Film Studies | CUET/Univ. rounds | ₹10k – ₹1 lakh |
Top Private Media Institutes (Indicative)
| Institute | City | Flagship Program(s) | Entrance/Pathway | Typical Fees (Total) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MICA | Ahmedabad | PGDM-Communications | CAT/XAT/GMAT + MICAT | ₹23 – ₹25 lakh |
| SCMC (Symbiosis) | Pune | BA (Mass Communication) | SET + PI | ₹8 – ₹12 lakh |
| XIC | Mumbai | Journalism/Advertising/Film PG Certs | XIC OET + PI | ₹1 – ₹3 lakh |
| Christ (Deemed) | Bengaluru | BA/MA Media & Comms | Christ Entrance/PI | ₹4 – ₹8 lakh |
| Manipal SOC | Manipal | BAJMC/MAJMC | University test/criteria | ₹6 – ₹10 lakh |
| Amity/UPES/LPU/Chandigarh | Multiple | UG/PG Media, PR, Advertising | Univ. tests/eligibility | ₹4 – ₹12 lakh |
Media/Film/Communication Fees in India (2025)
- Public/Government Universities: ₹10,000 – ₹2,50,000 (program total; highly subsidized)
- Autonomous Film Schools (FTII/SRFTI): ₹1,00,000 – ₹3,00,000 (program dependent)
- Private Universities/Institutes (UG Media): ₹3,50,000 – ₹12,00,000 (program total)
- MICA PGDM-C (Premium PG): ₹23,00,000 – ₹25,00,000 (2-year program)
Admissions Process (2025)
- Choose track (Journalism, Advertising/PR, Film/TV, Digital Media).
- Entrance exam(s): CUET-UG/CUET-PG (for many public universities), institute exams (MICAT/SET/XIC OET/JET FTII-SRFTI), or university tests.
- Portfolio/Assignment (Film/Design/Creative programs often require SOPs, scripts, reels, writing samples).
- Interview/Auditions (as applicable).
- Merit List & Offer (considering academics, test scores, portfolio, and PI).
Placements & Roles (2025)
- Journalism & Digital News: Reporter, Sub-Editor, Producer, Data Journalist, Social Video Producer
- Advertising & PR: Copywriter, Brand Strategist, Account Executive, PR Associate, Media Planner, Digital Marketer
- Film/OTT/TV: Assistant Director, Cinematographer, Editor, Sound Engineer, Screenwriter, Colorist, VFX/DI
- Content & Creator Economy: Content Strategist, Social Media Manager, Podcast Producer, YouTube/Shorts Producer
- Corporate Comms & Analytics: Corporate Communications, Internal Comms, Reputation & Crisis, Media Analytics
- Salary Snapshot (2025, indicative):
- Public-university journalism grads: ₹3.5 – ₹7 LPA
- Premium private (MICA/SCMC/XIC etc., advertising/digital): ₹6 – ₹14 LPA average; top roles higher
- Film/OTT technical roles: highly variable; project/day rates scale with experience, portfolio, and network
Key 2025 Updates
- CUET footprint expanding across central/state universities for UG/PG media seats
- Film/OTT hiring steady, strong demand for editing, sound, color, and production talent
- Brand & Digital roles (content, performance, analytics, social video) continue to outpace legacy print hiring
- Portfolio-first hiring gaining weight; internships and reels now decisive in selection
Conclusion
Top Media Colleges in India 2025 offer industry-aligned pathways in Journalism, Advertising & PR, Film/TV, and Digital Media. Whether you aim for IIMC/AJK MCRC for newsroom rigor, FTII/SRFTI for cinematic specialization, MICA for brand-strategy leadership, or SCMC/XIC/Christ/Manipal for broad-based communication careers, there’s a fit for every creative and strategic profile. Focus on entrance readiness, a strong portfolio, internships, and multi-platform skills—that’s how you convert media education into high-trajectory careers in India’s fast-growing content economy.
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